March6, 2007

Washington, DC – Today Subcommittee
Chairman Marty Meehan and Ranking Member Todd Akin,
of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee
(O&I) of the House Armed Services Committee,
announced that the subcommittee is preparing to
undertake its first oversight project—an in
depth look at the development of the Iraqi Security
Forces.

Chairman Meehan and
Ranking Member Akin released the following
statement:

“We are very pleased to announce that the
Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee will be
evaluating current
U.S. plans for and progress to date in training, equipping
and sustaining the Iraqi Security Forces.

“Our subcommittee has been reconstituted by
the Armed Services Committee, reflecting a renewed
commitment to overseeing the critical issues facing our
military today.
The
development of the Iraqi Security Forces is clearly such an
issue, and we intend to find out firsthand the challenges
that our troops face and the ways in which Congress can
support them in this difficult task.

“It is widely
understood that success in Iraq can only be achieved
when the Iraqis are able to secure and defend their own
nation.
Because of
this, it is crucial that our efforts to stand-up a
viable Iraqi Security Force are as robust and effective
as possible.

“Our intent is not
to focus on past mistakes, but we will not hesitate to
call for accountability when it is warranted.
Instead,
we seek to ensure that the current policy is realistic
and achievable.
If we
determine that specific challenges merit Congressional
action, we will work with the relevant subcommittees of
legislative jurisdiction and the full Armed Services
Committee to take action at the appropriate time.

“We look forward to undertaking this important
oversight function in the spirit of bipartisanship with
an eye toward ensuring that our nation’s security
policy is as professional and effective as the men and
women who carry it out every day.”

The
first O&I briefing, which will be closed to the public
due to its sensitive nature, will be this Friday on the
development of a logistics system capable of sustaining the
Iraqi Security Forces with equipment and supplies.
Future
briefings will explore issues regarding the training of
Iraqi personnel as well as the costs, contracting and
interagency capacity-building aspects of U.S.
efforts.